Cagayan Valley's Independent Newspaper

Typhoon Ferdie targets Batanes Islands

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoon “Ferdie” is heading towards Batanes and will be near the area by Wednesday morning.

In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Ferdie’s rainfall was expected to range from moderate to heavy within the typhoon’s 500-km diameter.

As of 4:00 p.m., the typhoon’s eye was located at 780 km east of Aparri, Cagayan (18.6°N, 129.0°E). The typhoon is estimated to move west northwest at 20 kms per hour (kph).

PAGASA also pointed out the typhoon has a strength of maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kph near the center, with a gustiness of up to 220 kph.

The government agency forecasts the typhoon will be located at 330 km east southeast of Basco, Batanes on Tuesday morning; 130 km west of Itbayat, Batanes Wednesday afternoon; 455 km west northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, Thursday afternoon, which is outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

PAGASA warns that Cagayan, Northern Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands will experience 30-60 kph winds in the next 36 hours.

These areas will experience the very light or no damage to low risk structures; light damage to medium to high risk structures; slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities; some banana plants are tilted with a few downed and leaves are generally damaged; twigs of small trees may be broken; rice crops in its flowering stage may suffer significant damage.

The areas will also have a wave height of 1.25-4 meters. Juzel Danganan/PNA